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Swimming in Luxury: How a South Jersey Dentist Built the Garden State’s Only Caviar Farm

Source: New Jersey Monthly · Jul 29, 2026, 11:49 AM

AI-assisted briefing from the publisher’s public headline and excerpt — not original reporting. How we write briefings

Aerial view of King Caviar's 9-acre sturgeon farm facility in Woolwich Township with large tanks housing roe-producing fish

Septimiu Pastiu, a South Jersey dentist, has established King Caviar, a groundbreaking 9-acre sturgeon farm in Woolwich Township that marks the first caviar operation of its kind in New Jersey since the late 1800s.

The facility houses approximately 30,000 roe-producing sturgeon in massive school bus-sized tanks, representing a unique agricultural venture combining aquaculture and luxury food production.

This entrepreneurial endeavor showcases an unconventional business model where a healthcare professional has ventured into sustainable caviar cultivation, bringing a premium food industry back to the Garden State after more than a century.

Key points

  • King Caviar in Woolwich Township is the first caviar farm in New Jersey since the late 19th century
  • The farm spans 9 acres and contains approximately 30,000 sturgeon in specialized tanks
  • Owner Septimiu Pastiu is a dentist who transitioned into aquaculture and luxury food production
  • The operation uses large-scale tanks comparable in size to school buses to house the roe-producing sturgeon

FAQ

Where is New Jersey's caviar farm located?
King Caviar is located in Woolwich Township in South Jersey. The 9-acre facility operates specialized tanks to raise sturgeon for caviar production.
How many sturgeon does the farm have?
The farm houses approximately 30,000 roe-producing sturgeon in its facilities. These fish are kept in large tanks designed to support aquaculture operations.
Why is this caviar farm significant for New Jersey?
This is the first caviar farm of its kind in New Jersey since the late 19th century, making it a historic return of this luxury food production industry to the state after more than 100 years.
Who owns and operates King Caviar?
Septimiu Pastiu, a South Jersey dentist, owns and operates King Caviar. His venture represents an unusual entrepreneurial pivot from healthcare into aquaculture and gourmet food production.

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